Old Austin

The Old Austin building served as the original administration center for East Carolina. One of the first campus buildings, the structure also housed classrooms, an auditorium, meeting rooms, and a library. It was expanded twice, once in 1914 and again in 1922, with each adding a new wing onto first the east then west side. The building and neighboring Wilson Hall were razed in 1968 to make room for the Jenkins Fine Arts Center. The memory of Old Austin is maintained by the twice-scale replica of its distinctive cupola which now adorns the Mall.

Old Austin through the years:

Austin

This three-story brick classroom building stands near the site of the school’s original baseball diamond. Constructed in 1964, it now houses the Department of Math and a 24-hour computer lab for students. The low wall in front of the entrance facing the bookstore is a popular gathering place for students between classes. Herbert E. Austin served as a professor of geography and was one of the school’s original faculty members.

Austin through the years:

Career Services Building

This two-story frame bungalow was built in 1914 to serve as the original East Carolina president’s home. In 1949, the purchase of the Dail House as a new chief executive’s home resulted in the conversion of this home to use as faculty apartments. It has also served as a female dormitory and Human Resources office. After renovations in 1994, it became the modern Career Services Center.

Career Services Building through the years:

Clement Hall

Sarah Clement was born in Mocksville, N.C. and graduated from East Carolina in 1915. She taught public school in Oxford, NC for forty years and bequeathed $50,000 to the school in her will. In her honor, the ten-story Clement Hall was named in her memory. Opened in 1969, Clement was the third high-rise dorm constructed during the late 1960s campus expansion.

Clement Hall through the years:

Cotten Hall

Cotten Hall opened in 1926 next to Fleming Hall in the central neighborhood. Cotten was originally built as a women’s dormitory and housed the office of the Dean of Women for many years. It is named in honor of Sallie Southhall Cotten, wife of Pitt County writer, poet, and community leader Robert Randolph Cotten. Sallie Cotten organized the End of the Century Book Club, which was instrumental in the construction of Sheppard Memorial Library.

Cotten Hall through the years:

Erwin Building

Built in 1952 to serve as faculty apartments, this building occupies the site of the original outdoor basketball courts. Named for former State Superintendent of Public Instruction and East Carolina Board of Trustee member Clyde Atkinson Erwin, the three-story structure now houses the Department of Fine Arts and Communication.

Erwin Building through the years:

Flanagan Building

Located near the campus mall, this iconic building has six large columns with a large staircase leading up to the front doors. The building was named for Edward Gaskill Flanagan, Greenville native and member of the East Carolina Board of Trustees who also served as chairman of the school’s Building Committee. This building was originally built as a classroom building and still serves that function today.

Flanagan Building through the years:

Flanagan Sylvan Amphitheater

Constructed with money donated to the memory of Edward Gaskill Flanagan, a former member of the Board of Trustees, this u-shaped amphitheater featured terraced cement seating and a capacity of approximately 800. Shakespeare’s Macbeth was the first performance of many until the 1970s. It was used for auditions and as a student quiet area until it was replaced by the newly constructed West End Dining Hall in 2004.

Flanagan Sylvan Amphitheater through the years:

Fleming Hall

Located on central campus, Fleming opened as a residence hall for women in 1923 to alleviate overcrowding. Nearly identical to the original dormitories, Jarvis and Wilson, its brick structure reflects the Spanish-mission style. The dorm is named for Pitt County native James Lawson Fleming, lawyer and state senator, who introduced the legislation which established East Carolina Teachers Training School. In 1990, Fleming became a dormitory specifically housing ECU Honors students, Teaching Fellows, and University Scholars.

Fleming Hall through the years:

Wright Fountain

Built in 1932, the old fountain honored the memory of Martin Wright, chairman of the Campus Beautification Committee and social science professor. A campus icon, the fountain served as a popular gathering point and focus of campus life for over eighty years until it was replaced. The current structure, the Trustees Fountain, was dedicated on Founder’s Day 2009 and replaced Wright Fountain as the centerpiece of Wright Circle. A plaque near the fountain displays the name of current and former members of the Board of Trustees.

Wright Fountain through the years:

Garrett Hall

Named in honor of Tobacco firm Person-Garrett’s founder, Radford Marvin “Ralph” Garrett, this building along 5th Street originally served as a women’s dormitory. Dedicated on March 8, 1957, the three-story structure was the first dorm converted to “coed” use after residents petitioned the Board of Trustees to change the housing restrictions in 1974.

Garrett Hall through the years:

Graham Building

Built in 1929, the Graham Building currently houses the Department of Geological Sciences and occupies a space on Wright Circle. It is named for Maria Daniel Graham, who founded the Math Department in addition to serving the college for over three decades. The clock which sits near the front entrance was donated by the Class of 1993.

Graham Building through the years:

Greene Hall

The first of the three high rise dorms constructed on the western edge of campus, Greene Hall opened on February 2, 1969. Designed to house 400 women students, it has since been converted for use by coeds. The dormitory’s namesake, Mary Hemphill Greene, served as a faculty member in the Department of English from 1928 until her death in 1968.

Greene Hall through the years:

Howell Science Complex

Opened in 1969, the Science Complex was renamed in 1991 to honor former faculty members John and Gladys Howell. He served as East Carolina chancellor from 1982-1987 after a long career as a professor, dean, and vice-chancellor. She retired from the Sociology Department upon her husband’s acceptance of the chancellorship. The complex features a display area in the lobby and its wings are connected by an elevated walkway.

Howell Science Complex through the years:

Jarvis Hall

Opened in 1909, Jarvis Dormitory was originally constructed to serve as a male dormitory. Named for Governor Thomas Jordan Jarvis, the building features the distinct Spanish mission style roof found on many of campus’s older buildings. This tile pattern was influenced by the architecture of Brazil, where Jarvis serves as US Ambassador from 1885-1888. Today Jarvis Dormitory still serves its original purpose as a home for students.

Jarvis Hall through the years:

Jenkins Fine Arts Center

The Jenkins Fine Arts Center was built on the site of the razed Wilson Hall and Old Austin. Dedicated on April 24, 1977 the 142,000 square foot location houses the School of Art and the Wellington B. Gray Art Gallery. It is named for Chancellor Emeritus Leo W. Jenkins. Leo Jenkins was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served East Carolina as its last president and first chancellor. Several milestones were reached during his eighteen years as East Carolina’s chief administrator including the elevation to university status, the transition of the athletic program to Division I status, desegregation, and an exponential increase in student enrollment.

Jenkins Fine Arts Center through the years:

John B. Christenbury Memorial Gymnasium

Dedicated to the memory of faculty member John Christenbury and students lost to service in World War II, the gym was erected in 1952 on the grounds of the school’s former vegetable garden. Featuring a swimming pool, office space, locker rooms, classrooms, and a basketball court, Christenbury served as the center for Health and Physical Education classes as well as the home of the intercollegiate basketball and swim teams until the construction of Minges Coliseum.

John B. Christenbury Memorial Gymnasium through the years:

Joyner Library

One of the most distinct features of modern campus, Joyner Library was constructed over three major phases beginning in 1954. The original L-shaped footprint was dedicated on March 8, 1955, as part of Founder’s Day. In 1964, the second major renovation occurred, adding air conditioning and two additional floors. From 1994-1999, the third major renovation added the rounded tower area of Joyner and Sonic Plaza. It was dedicated on March 8, 1999. The library is named for James Yadkin Joyner. J.Y. Joyner served as Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1902-1919 and as a member of the East Carolina Board of Trustees from 1907-1918 and 1922-1925.

Joyner Library through the years:

Ledonia Wright Cultural Center

Named for Community Health faculty member and group advisor to the Society of United Liberal Students (SOULS) Ledonia Wright, the building was originally constructed to serve as a Home Economic Practice House. Dedicated on February 26, 1953 it later served as the Center for Career Placement before it was rechristened the Ledonia S. Wright Cultural Center in 1976 following its namesake’s sudden death.

Ledonia Wright Cultural Center through the years:

The Mall

The Mall has long served as the center of campus activity. The Cupola along the western edge of the Mall is a replica of the one that stood on Old Austin, the school’s original administrative building. While school is in session, the Mall hosts a variety of events including informational fairs, musical performances, informal leisure sessions, and Barefoot on the Mall, East Carolina’s traditional end of year celebration.

The Mall through the years:

Mamie Jenkins Building

Now home to the Honors College, the Mamie Jenkins building was built in 1909 to serve as the school’s infirmary. A Spanish flu epidemic on campus forced administrators to repurpose the building, as doctors noted it was next door to the Dining Hall. It has also served as a home economic practice house, Alumni Affairs office, and home to the Institute of Coastal and Marine Resources. Its namesake served as one of the original faculty members before retiring in 1946. The building was dedicated to her memory in 1954 as a reward for decades of distinguished service to East Carolina.

Mamie Jenkins Building through the years:

McGinnis Theatre

Intended to serve as a shared auditorium for East Carolina and the old Wahl-Coates School, McGinnis Theatre was opened in 1951. After Wahl-Coates was repurposed as the Messick Theatre Arts Center, McGinnis Auditorium retained its name. Howard Justus McGinnis served as university registrar (1928-1947) and acting president (1944-1946) before retiring from East Carolina in 1950 as director of field services. Today, McGinnis Theatre hosts numerous yearly performances produced by students and faculty from the Theatre Arts Department.

McGinnis Theatre through the years:

Mendenhall Student Center

Cynthia Mendenhall served as East Carolina’s first student union director from 1954 to her untimely death from cancer in 1972. The building which bears her name opened on February 9, 1974. It features an 800 seat film theater, bowling alley, game room, in addition to a coffee shop and campus food market on the lower floors. Mendenhall also serves as office space for the Student Government Association, Greek Life, and campus radio station WZMB. The 116,900 square foot facility also serves as host to a variety of student centered activities and programs.

Mendenhall Student Center through the years:

Messick Theatre Arts Building

Named after John Decatur Messick, President of East Carolina from 1947 to 1959, Messick Theatre Arts Building was constructed in 1927. John Messick served East Carolina during the transition from East Carolina Teachers College’s to East Carolina College and oversaw the construction of sixteen new buildings, as well as an increase in enrollment from 1,600 to 6,500 students. Originally home of the practice school, this building has undergone several renovations, additions, and name changes through the decades. The building now encompasses the Theatre Arts Department and is attached to McGinnis Auditorium.

Messick Theatre Arts Building through the years:

Old Cafeteria Complex

One of the school’s original six buildings, the Old Cafeteria Complex has served as a dining complex, financial aid and cashier’s office, and geology lab. In 1915, a fire destroyed much of the roof. School President Robert Wright dismissed the students for one week to enact repairs, which marked the first Spring Break in East Carolina’s history. Part of the Spanish tile roof was removed in 1985 as the building underwent a renovation and expansion to accommodate the larger staff needed to match the school’s growth.

Old Cafeteria Complex through the years:

Ragsdale Building

Built in 1923, with an additional wing added in 1953, its original purpose was to provide housing for female faculty members. It has also been designated as a student dormitory, first home for the School of Medicine, as well as administrative offices. This building currently houses the Graduate School. William Henry Ragsdale, former superintendent of Pitt County Schools, played an important for in organizing the campaign to establish East Carolina Teachers Training School.

Ragsdale Building through the years:

Rawl Building

This three story T-shaped building was dedicated on March 13, 1960. It was the first new classroom building on Main Campus since the opening of the Flanagan Building in 1941. It was enlarged with an annex in 1960 that provided space for faculty offices. In 1962 it became the first building on campus to be air-conditioned. It is named for Edwin E. Rawl Jr., a former East Carolina trustee and founder of the Pirate Club.

Rawl Building through the years:

Rivers Building

Originally home to the Department of Home Economics, the Rivers Building opened in 1968 during a period of rapid campus expansion. Its namesake, Thomas Wilson Rivers, made the first $1,000,000 contribution to East Carolina for academic programs. The building occupies the school’s former outdoor tennis courts. A 2004 renovation added over 38,000 additional square feet. It now serves as home to the College of Human Ecology.

Rivers Building through the years:

Science and Technology Building

Completed in 2003, this 270,000 square foot building sits along Tenth Street and provides East Carolina with state of the art facilities for Industrial Technology, Construction Management, and Chemistry. In addition to classrooms, this building also features computer centers, laboratory space, and a Distance Learning Center which allows for the transmittal of lectures and presentation across the globe.

Science and Technology through the years:

Spilman Building

Home to the Chancellor’s Office, the building is named for John Barham Spilman, who served as treasurer of East Carolina College from 1912-1935. Constructed in 1930 to provide campus with additional office space, the Spanish-mission style mirrors that of the original campus buildings with its curved arches and stylized brick detail. Spilman continues to house administrative offices, including the vice chancellors, administration and finance, and the Divisions of Academic and Student Affairs.

Spilman Building through the years:

Student Health Center

The Student Health Center was constructed in 1930 to meet East Carolina’s student health needs. This building was designed with the Spanish-mission style, featuring the red tile-roof seen in other buildings throughout central campus. The Student Health Center is the primary campus health-care facility, serving enrolled students, while the ECU School of Medicine has a small clinic inside providing care to faculty.

Student Health Center through the years:

Student Recreation Center

The two-story fitness center sits on the corner of Ninth and Cotanche streets on the western edge of the original campus. The first floor features a swimming pool, basketball courts, a climbing wall, weight training area, and a refreshment bar. The upper level features an elevated track, racquetball courts, cardiovascular equipment, and multipurpose rooms. An outdoor pool area is also a popular gathering space for students and each January hosts the Polar Bear Plunge where students brave ice cold water to start the Spring semester.

Student Recreation Center through the years:

West End Dining Hall

West End Dining Hall through the years:

Whichard Building

Located on Wright Circle near the Trustees Fountain, the Whichard Building was opened in 1924 and served as the original library at East Carolina. After the construction of Joyner Library, the building served as host to the Music Department before it was converted to serve as office space. The building was named to honor school patron David Julian Whichard, former owner of the local newspaper, the Greenville Daily Reflector. Whichard’s support of the school through monetary contributions and editorials was instrumental to driving growth and earning popular support for East Carolina throughout the region.

Whichard Building through the years:

White Hall

White Hall through the years:

Wilson Hall

Opened in 1909 as the original Girls Dormitory, Wilson Hall also served as early faculty housing. It was named for Claude Wayland Wilson, East Carolina Board of Trustees member and director of summer school from 1909-1922. The building was also notable for its Pergola, whose stylistic influence is still evident on campus, most notably near West End Dining Hall. The building was demolished in 1968 to provide space for the Jenkins Fine Arts Center.

Wilson Hall through the years:

Wright Building

Named after Robert Herring Wright, first president of East Carolina Teachers Training School, this building opened in 1923. It originally served as the social and religious facility for campus. A fire in 1970 damaged part of the building. A third major renovation in 1981 included enlarging the building to accommodate a new auditorium. Today, Wright Auditorium hosts lectures and a variety of performances. The auditorium is connected via a passageway to the campus bookstore and Wright Place food court.